Posted on 11/30/2007 8:56:01 AM PST by Uncledave
Horror as Chinese horses are forced to fight to the death By BARRY WIGMORE
Chinese spectators smile sadistically at the inhumane spectacle of two beautiful horses savagely attacking one another.
With ears back, eyes rolling and nostrils flared in fury, the enraged horses pummel each other with their hooves and bite and head-butt each other in a horrifying fight, sometimes to the death.
Men, women and children watch, and a roar of approval goes up as one horse delivers the equivalent of a double-uppercut to its opponent with its hind legs.
The cruel "sport" of horse fighting has been outlawed almost worldwide, but it still thrives in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea and here in China, as these disturbing images of a "tournament" prove.
They were taken in Guizhou province in south-west China, where local people claim such events are a part of a 500-year-old tradition. The horses have been goaded to fury by their owners who urge them on as they hang on to halter ropes to prevent the horses running off.
All around wildly cheering crowds lay bets on which one will be standing when the fighting ends.
It goes on for half an hour or more, until one or the other collapses or is simply too exhausted to continue.
The Chinese government would prefer you not to see these pictures as it tries to clean up its image for the Beijing Olympics which are only eight months away.
But critics say horse fighting is as widespread as ever in the huge country's far-flung provinces, especially among the Miao ethnic group.
Like bear-baiting and cruelty to circus animals, authorities say it is difficult to stop an event that is embedded in local culture, and frequently celebrated at festivals along with fireworks and fancy-dress dragon parades.
In outlying towns horse fights often take place in the main football stadium.
The stallions are driven into a frenzy by the simple ploy of leading them to a mare in heat, then taking her away when they are roused. Mares are often injected with hormones to keep them in heat longer. If they are still reluctant when the mare is removed, they are whipped, and gunshots are fired to stir them up.
A losing horse is often pitted against a much stronger opponent in its next fight to ensure it dies and the spectators get the bloody finale they enjoy. Then, according to reports from some of the remote regions, the dead horse is barbecued as part of the festival.
Vivian Farrell, who has waged a long campaign against the fighting as founder and president of the International Fund for Horses, said: "It is very hard to tackle. They say it's a tradition. Well, it used to be a tradition to sacrifice children, but we've moved on from that.
"Sadly it is mostly driven by the Chinese love of gambling, although people get fired up over the blood, gore and intensity of the fighting."
She sees some hope for progress as China emerges more into the international community. "I get emails now from younger Chinese people saying they don't like this image and asking what they can do.
"With the Olympics coming, young Chinese people want to be seen to be more humane. But it's going to take a lot of education and a long time."
A spokeswoman for PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – who are campaigning for a worldwide ban on the fights, said: "Torturing these magnificent animals in the name of entertainment is deplorable. Tradition never justifies cruelty and has no place in a civilised society."
I heard that they tie up dogs and beat them to death before eating them. Not hard to believe.
Target rich environment. I’d cheer a MOAB strike on that crowd.
But remember: “All cultures are equally valid.” </sarcasm>
I would expect no less from the Chinese. And, based on information contained in a recent posting regarding Japanese treatment and summary execution of American prisoners during WWII, the same applies to them. I am sure that there are probably exceptions but, by and large, they are unsatisfactory as a people.
What does it say about an entire culture, a huge country where abusing animals is an integral part of their culture and for which they show not the least sense of guilt or shame. Chinese quack medicine is in the process of financing the elimination of virtually every endangered animal species in Asia. Cats, Dogs, Bears, turtles etc are routinely treated in a barbaric manner without a second thought.
When people in San Francisco dared to question some of the cruel and barbaric treatment of live animals in the China Town food markets they were attacked as racists trying to destroy Chinese culture.
I actually saw a Chinese government official justifying the killing of a particular species of mammals that were near extinction by saying that; when it came to the health of our children and some animal, we choose the health of our children.
If China eventually achieves the military power they seek, they will show us even less mercy than they do their animals.
Sick beyond belief!
And they have permanent MFN status?
Sicker still.
The Chinese are a cruel people......they demonstrate it in other areas as well.
Agree.
Vegetarianism is the only way; the true Christian way.
They also stomp cats with stilletto heels as part of stripper/porn shows. Lovely folks.
Our local chink restaurant was closed down by the health dept. They were scraping the leftover food from peoples plates back into the pots. I actually liked their food and went there many times. No longer though.
“They were taken in Guizhou province in south-west China, where local people claim such events are a part of a 500-year-old tradition.”
Like eating the brains of live monkeys.
Some people still haven;t advanced from that stage of primative savagery we left when bear and bull baiting were outlawed in Britain.
Thanks for that little ditty- I’m showing it to my husband so he’ll think twice next time he wants to eat Chinese.
Michael Vick was unavailable for comment.
Oh really? And you learned of this how?
Whats wrong with stomping cats? Thats bad?
Ok that is it. I am not eating their food anymore. Its time to take my wok out & learn to cook my favorite foods myself. At least it won’t be dog & cat meat! Or other people’s leftovers from filthy pots etc . EWW I was thinking of lunch but I think I am passing on that now.
These people are subhumans. Cats and dogs are literally tortured before their deaths. They have no compassion or sense of decency.... let’s nuke em.
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